Episode 2 | Dr. Mary Walshok Reflects on Innovation, Education, Community, and Social Capital Through Sports

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED. In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy was joined in studio by a true legend of the San Diego educational, entrepreneurship, and innovation world, the one and only Dr. Mary Walshok. Mary, a Swedish immigrant born in 1942, shared her journey on the "Access Granted" podcast. She discussed her upbringing, her passion for music, and her career at UCSD, where she helped establish the Connect program and UCTV. Mary emphasized the importance of social capital and regional collaboration in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. She highlighted her knighthood from Sweden for her contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship. Mary also stressed the significance of Access Youth Academy in building social capital through sports, competence, and confidence, encouraging young people to discover their strengths and opportunities. Below you'll find a summary of the conversation between Renato and Mary. Introduction of Mary WalshokMary shares her background, including her birth in 1942, her Swedish immigrant parents, and her upbringing in Palm Springs, California.Mary discusses her early experiences traveling in Europe, which shaped her worldview and cultural connections.She mentions her love for music, her initial aspiration to be an opera singer, and her eventual pivot to sociology and a PhD from UCSD.Early Life and InfluencesMary describes her upbringing in a binational family, speaking Swedish before English and singing before talking.She shares her experiences of traveling to Europe, witnessing the aftermath of World War II, and developing a unique perspective on the world.Mary talks about her parents' decision to move to California, where they lived in Palm Springs, exposing her to a glamorous and culturally diverse environment.She emphasizes the importance of her early musical training and her social scientist curiosity, which led her to pursue a PhD in sociology.Career and ContributionsMary discusses her career at UCSD, her involvement in the development of San Diego's tech ecosystem, and her role in creating the Connect program.She highlights the importance of regional collaboration and the impact of her work on innovation and entrepreneurship.Mary shares her experiences with the Order of the Polar Star, a knighthood awarded by the King of Sweden, and her involvement with the Prince Daniel Foundation.She reflects on the significance of her contributions to building platforms and fostering regional development.Passion for Sports and ArtsMary talks about her passion for tennis and racket sports, and how they have been a significant part of her life.She shares her experiences playing tennis with friends and the beauty of watching racket sports and track and field events.Mary discusses her involvement in supporting the arts in San Diego and the importance of living an artful life.She mentions her brother's work in the government of Brazil on cultural and music-related projects.Involvement with Access Youth AcademyMary explains her connection with Access Youth Academy and her belief in the power of sports to create opportunities for young people.She emphasizes the importance of social capital and the role of mentors and sponsors in building opportunities for youth.Mary discusses the impact of Access Youth Academy on building competence, confidence, and connections in young athletes.She shares her experiences with the program and the importance of providing access to tutors, the right path, and ongoing support.Advice for Young PeopleMary advises young people to resist the pressure to excel in a narrow definition of success and to be open to discovering their strengths and passions.She emphasizes the importance of finding the right school and environment that allows them to discover their life vocation.Mary shares her own experiences of being in the right place at the right time and the importance of seizing opportunities.She encourages young people to be open to different paths and to find where they can make a difference.About Access Youth AcademyAccess Granted is the official podcast of Access Youth Academy, a social impact organization whose mission is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility and leadership using sports as a catalyst. We believe every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential. To Learn more about Access Youth Academy and explore how you can become a game changer, please visit our website. https://accessyouthacademy.org/About Cloudcast MediaAs the national leader in local podcasting, Cloudcast Media proudly produces "Access Granted" throught its CauseCast platform to help amplify, augment, and accelerate the mission and reach of community social impact organizations. For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit their website at CloudCast Media. This episode was produced by high school ...